Tire Polymer Composition Balancing Fuel Efficiency and Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conjugated diene-based polymers used in tires face a trade-off between fuel efficiency and steering stability, with modifications for improved filler affinity leading to reduced rigidity and storage modulus.
Innovation Solution
A polymer composition comprising a modified conjugated diene-based polymer with nitrogen-containing functional groups and a functional-group-containing polymer, specifically designed to balance rigidity and fuel efficiency through controlled molecular weights and glass transition points, along with a crosslinking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a modified conjugated diene-based polymer with nitrogen-containing functional groups is used to improve filler affinity and fuel efficiency, then fuel efficiency is improved, but rigidity and storage modulus are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of modified conjugated diene-based polymer (with nitrogen-containing functional groups for filler interaction) combined with polyolefin-based resin. This composite structure allows the rubber component to provide fuel efficiency through improved filler affinity while the resin component contributes to maintaining rigidity and mechanical strength, thus resolving the trade-off between fuel efficiency and rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes specific parameters including the weight average molecular weight of the modified conjugated diene-based polymer (1.0×10^5 to 5.0×10^6), the glass transition point (-50°C to -100°C), and the ratio of rubber component to resin component (95:5 to 70:30). These parameter adjustments allow tuning of the balance between fuel efficiency and rigidity to achieve both improved filler affinity and adequate mechanical properties
2Loss of energy
If a modified conjugated diene-based polymer is used to reduce heat generation and improve fuel efficiency, then heat generation is reduced, but steering stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material system combines modified conjugated diene-based polymer (providing low heat generation through improved silica affinity and reduced hysteresis loss) with polyolefin-based resin (providing thermal stability and structural support). This combination allows the tire to exhibit reduced heat generation while maintaining adequate steering stability through the resin's contribution to overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the glass transition point of the modified conjugated diene-based polymer within -50°C to -100°C and optimizes the rubber-to-resin ratio to balance heat generation reduction with steering stability maintenance. The molecular weight and functional group content are also adjusted to achieve optimal performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves a well-balanced crosslinked product with improved rigidity and fuel efficiency, addressing the trade-off issues in conventional tires.
Implementation Method 1
a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having at least one nitrogen-containing functional group... exhibits higher affinity to a reinforcing filler (e.g., carbon black or silica)
Implementation Method 2
a functional-group-containing polymer having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy group, an acid anhydride structure, an oxazoline group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, and a sulfo group
Data Source
AI summary
This polymer composition includes: a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having at least one nitrogen-containing functional group selected from the group consisting of a primary amino group, a secondary amino group, a tertiary amino group, a primary amino group having been protected or converted into an onium group, a secondary amino group having been protected or converted into an onium group, and a tertiary amino group having been converted into an onium group; and a functional-group-containing polymer having at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of an epoxy group, an acid anhydride structure, an oxazoline group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, and a sulfo group.